Trip is booked! Very excited, but feeling overwhelmed. Any expert planners out there?

[smellyia]

Going for the first time can definitely be daunting and I spent hours prior to our first trip trying to figure it all out so I get where you're coming from. At this point my excel workbook for our Disney trips would get me checked in somewhere!

1. As for ADRs and meals - always a needless hot button issue on here- eat where you want. My family likes a table service an evening and we do a character brunch on our off park day. We enjoy eating out for dinner and it's part of our vacation experience.

2. Since you don't list your dates ore resort area, it bears repeating to visit easywdw.com. Explore his site and forums. He has monthly calendars that list which is a preferred park for lower crowds- EMH park will never be recommended because it's always more crowded. His forums also help people out with "touring plans" for inside the park to help maximize the park time which I found invaluable. **Josh's site is current & free.

3. It does appear that you have a lot of moving around in your day. You should attempt to streamline your schedule because moving around that much can equal a lot of wasted travel time. Also, be mindful of your meal times so as not too close together.

4. Best strategy we used was morning RD with or without early EMH. Finish up at park midday/mid-afternoon. Afternoon break for pool. Evening dinner/park for fireworks. And one day def sleep in, get some brunch or go to the pool and do the parks later in the day or something like DTD with Disney Quest (you really could get this area out of the way in one afternoon).

-plan a RD for each park. (4 days). Go to Recommended parks or park hop after morning EMH and a break.
-DTD is great after AK
-try to get your meals in the area you are planning to be in to decrease travel

Good luck!

[NicPie]

This will more than likely be the only trip we will take for quite a while, it's not cheap. lol So that is the main reason for trying to cram in all we can.

I don't particulaly want to hop all around for dinner, but without making the reservations, I have no idea what to do about dinner. Everyone I have talked to stressed the issue of reserving early, so I did. Now here aren't really good times left so I can't shuffle them much. I thought at least I could plan things in half days and spend at least one half at the park where the restaurant is. Now I don't know what to do.

[MrRomance]

Originally Posted by NicPie

First off... Hello, everyone! I'm new to the board and am very happy to have found you all and be able to join in for some much needed help.

Secondly, I apologize in advance for the information overload I'm about to go into. I hope that's okay.. you all know how much there is to do in the parks.


My husband and I have decided to book our first WDW trip. We're super excited, our 7 year old has been asking for a long time and now is the perfect time for us to finally do it. She is already 48 inches, so the rides shouldn't be an issue, and I'm hoping she's old enough that she'll remember going.

We're going for 9 days/8 nights, so the first and last days will be pretty much non-eventful except for dinner the first night and maybe some time in DD. So, that leaves me with 7 days and I cannot seem to figure out a way to make it all work. I've been laying the whole week out for hours now and I can't figure out the last few things. I thought maybe you all could help me out.

Now, I know my trip isn't til June and I shouldn't be obsessing quite this much already, but I knew how important it was to book restaurants and all right away, so I have done that and now I'm trying to work in everything else around them. I haven't been since I was 15, so I'm pretty much a first-timer and I can't remember things like how long it takes to transfer parks and whatnot.

So, what I have so far...

day 1
arrive at Caribbean Beach Resort
Rainforest Cafe in DD at 6:30
maybe hang out in DD for a bit

day 2
HS @ 8am (EMH)
(sign up my daughter for the Jedi Training)
lunch at Pizza Planet
Pixar Parade @ 3pm
-head to MK at who knows what time-
Chef Mickey's @ 5pm
light parade @ 9pm
fireworks @ 10pm


day 3
Epcot @ 9am
lunch at Electric Umbrella
Fantasia Gardens mini golf sometime before 4pm
Coral Reef @ 5:25pm

day 4
Animal Kingdom @ 8am (EMH)
early lunch at Restaurantosauras
-head to DD at some point-
T-REX @ 3:30pm
-go to HS-
Fantasmic @ 9pm

day 5
Magic Kingdom
lunch @ Tortuga Tavern
Be Our Guest @ 4:30pm

day 6
Typhoon Lagoon @ 9am
lunch at Typhoon Tilly's
-go to the resort, dry off, change, head to MK-
The Crystal Palace @ 5:05pm

day 7
Magic Kingdom @ 8am (EMH)
lunch somewehre TBD
Dreams Come True Parade 3pm
Via Napoli @ 4:30pm
-monorail to Epcot-
IllumiNations @ 9pm

day 8
Disney Quest @ 11:30am
Planet Hollywood @ 4:30pm

day 9
breakfast at the resort
plane leaves at noon


I'm not sure if that is waaaay too much info for you all, but you guys are pros so maybe it won't be so bad.

So, my questions are..

My hubby wants to do the ESPN thing. For one.. I can't even seem to find where that is. I see the ESPN Club is on the Boardwalk, but can't tell where the complex is. Also, how long would that take for us to do? Keep in mind, I think he's going to be the only one interested, so I don't 'want' to be there long, but still want to see what there is to see, kwim? Would a few hours do it? I can't seem to find a way to rearrange the schedule in a way that allows for more than 3-4 hours to do it.

How long should I expect to be in DQ? I planned the first half of our last day, not sure if I should plan to go back after dinner or if we should be done by that point.

We will also need some resort time.. my daughter will want to take full advantage of the water slides and pool, at least a couple times.

My main issue is knowing we have to eat, but not liking how much time I'm imagining it will cut out of the day. Like when we go to Be Our Guest at 4:30.. I would think we wouldn't be walking out til at least 6:30? That doesn't leave much time to go anywhere else outside of MK. Or the night in HS where we want to see Fantasmic (says to be there 90 min early.. so 7:30).. won't be getting to HS anyway til after dinner at T-Rex at 3:30.. so 5:30-6ish? That's the only time I had set for HS except the first part of day two. I'm worried that won't be enough? Same with Epcot on day three and then what's left after Via Napoli on day seven.

*SIGH* I am very overwhelmed.

Any advice or insight would be MUCH appreciated.

Again, I apologize for the overload of information.

Let me start by saying we were at WDW last year with our 8 year old. We had a 2 week trip (14 nights/15 days). My advice would be to revisit some of your plans and see if you minimize your hopping, reduce your park time and streamline!

For example, your day 2, involves an 8am start meaning you will need to be up and out for 7.30am and you won't be back at your resort around 11.30. You are taking in two parks, Jedi Training with a 7 year old? I'm not sure a child that young could cope with such a long, eventful day with no break or rest period. Kids tire fast, especially in the June heat and I would say that is way too much for a 7 year old to manage. You're talking about a 16 hour day.

As far as ESPN goes, it's at the Boardwalk and could be rolled into a day at Epcot. Use the International Gateway exit/entrance between France & UK.


My advice would be to make a list of MUST DO things and where they are. Then streamline your plans.

For example, what time are you arriving at CBR on Day 1? Could you go to Disney Quest that evening? For me, Disney Quest is a 3 hour thing. Get that out of the way then.

ESPN can be done while at Epcot

Minimize the hopping, do all of the things you want to do in one park on one day. Make reservations at the restaurants closest to the park you're in that day. etc.

[Eoywin]

I agree with what everyone else is saying - you are going to be wasting so much time going back and forth.

But we have never park hopped - I just don't see the appeal and I would not recommend parking hopping for a first trip. I'd cut back some - skip mini-golf and possibly DQ as well.

[Kona65]

[QUOTE=NicPie;47141328]First off... Hello, everyone! I'm new to the board and am very happy to have found you all and be able to join in for some much needed help.

Secondly, I apologize in advance for the information overload I'm about to go into. I hope that's okay.. you all know how much there is to do in the parks.


My husband and I have decided to book our first WDW trip. We're super excited, our 7 year old has been asking for a long time and now is the perfect time for us to finally do it. She is already 48 inches, so the rides shouldn't be an issue, and I'm hoping she's old enough that she'll remember going.

We're going for 9 days/8 nights, so the first and last days will be pretty much non-eventful except for dinner the first night and maybe some time in DD. So, that leaves me with 7 days and I cannot seem to figure out a way to make it all work. I've been laying the whole week out for hours now and I can't figure out the last few things. I thought maybe you all could help me out.

Now, I know my trip isn't til June and I shouldn't be obsessing quite this much already, but I knew how important it was to book restaurants and all right away, so I have done that and now I'm trying to work in everything else around them. I haven't been since I was 15, so I'm pretty much a first-timer and I can't remember things like how long it takes to transfer parks and whatnot.

I love the title of your tread, (Any expert planners on the DisBoard) no one here is an expert planner, they just think they are, with the exception of me of course. Just sort through all of the information you get, some of it will be very valuable, some not so valuable. TDBIASWS.

[NicPie]

Thank you to everyone for the tips, btw.

What is RD? It's early right now.. maybe I'm missing something obvious.

I'll check out that site. Thanks.

Good to know about the EMH.. I asked someone when I booked if it less crowded then and she said it wasn't too bad. That's why I tried to hit those, especially the HS day so I can make sure my daughter can get signed up for the Jedi Training.

If everyone uses the tour guide or whatever you guys called it, doesn't that cause the not-as-crowded to get crowded?

[NicPie]

Thanks, Kona.

MrRomance... I have an odd child, she would hold up just fine, but I do see what you're saying.

Our flight lands between 1:45-2:00.

Thanks for the ESPN location, that is helpful.

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by NicPie

First off... Hello, everyone! I'm new to the board and am very happy to have found you all and be able to join in for some much needed help.

Secondly, I apologize in advance for the information overload I'm about to go into. I hope that's okay.. you all know how much there is to do in the parks.


My husband and I have decided to book our first WDW trip. We're super excited, our 7 year old has been asking for a long time and now is the perfect time for us to finally do it. She is already 48 inches, so the rides shouldn't be an issue, and I'm hoping she's old enough that she'll remember going.

We're going for 9 days/8 nights, so the first and last days will be pretty much non-eventful except for dinner the first night and maybe some time in DD. So, that leaves me with 7 days and I cannot seem to figure out a way to make it all work. I've been laying the whole week out for hours now and I can't figure out the last few things. I thought maybe you all could help me out.

Now, I know my trip isn't til June and I shouldn't be obsessing quite this much already, but I knew how important it was to book restaurants and all right away, so I have done that and now I'm trying to work in everything else around them. I haven't been since I was 15, so I'm pretty much a first-timer and I can't remember things like how long it takes to transfer parks and whatnot.

So, what I have so far...

day 1
arrive at Caribbean Beach Resort
Rainforest Cafe in DD at 6:30
maybe hang out in DD for a bit

I would actually do T-Rex on this night. Save your RFC meal for the day you're at AK

day 2
HS @ 8am (EMH)
(sign up my daughter for the Jedi Training)
lunch at Pizza Planet
Pixar Parade @ 3pm
-head to MK at who knows what time-
Chef Mickey's @ 5pm
light parade @ 9pm
fireworks @ 10pm
grab lunch or a quick bite as you feel like it...don't over do with the preplanning.

day 3
Epcot @ 9am
lunch at Electric Umbrella
Fantasia Gardens mini golf sometime before 4pm
Coral Reef @ 5:25pm
It will take you about 20 mins to get to Fantasia Gardens and then another 20 mins to return to Epcot...plan accordingly. And it will take you about 60-90 mins to play the course..take your time, it's a great course.

day 4
Animal Kingdom @ 8am (EMH)
early lunch at Restaurantosauras
-head to DD at some point-
T-REX @ 3:30pm
-go to HS-
Fantasmic @ 9pm
This is where I would put a RainForest Cafe meal in. Better to eat there, right outside the entrance to AK, and then head directly to DHS when you're done.

day 5
Magic Kingdom
lunch @ Tortuga Tavern
Be Our Guest @ 4:30pm
Be sure to eat lunch early..otherwise you aren't going to be hungry for BoG.

day 6
Typhoon Lagoon @ 9am
lunch at Typhoon Tilly's
-go to the resort, dry off, change, head to MK-
The Crystal Palace @ 5:05pm
You will need to leave TL by 2:30ish in order to get back to your resort, change, and get to MK for a 5:05 ADR. You need to be at MK by 4:30 so you can be at CP podium by 4:50.

day 7
Magic Kingdom @ 8am (EMH)
lunch somewehre TBD
Dreams Come True Parade 3pm
Via Napoli @ 4:30pm
-monorail to Epcot-
IllumiNations @ 9pm
You will be cutting it close getting to ViaNapoli. The parade takes about 15-20 mins...which means you won't be leaving MK until 3:30ish, over to the TTC for 3:50ish, onto the Epcot monorail by 4, then at Epcot around 4:15. No way are you making the walk to ViaNapoli in time. You could take the bus to YC/BC, get off at BC and use the International Gateway into Epcot and then walk to Via Napoli. That would save you a bit of time. But, it may be better to just try to move your ADR time to later than 5.

day 8
Disney Quest @ 11:30am
Planet Hollywood @ 4:30pm
I like DQ, I really do. But I find I can't stay there for more than about 3-4 hrs, tops. I'm not sure a 7 y/o is going to want to be there for all that long. But, that's your call...just be prepared to stay a shorter period of time than you figured on.

day 9
breakfast at the resort
plane leaves at noon


I'm not sure if that is waaaay too much info for you all, but you guys are pros so maybe it won't be so bad.

So, my questions are..

My hubby wants to do the ESPN thing. For one.. I can't even seem to find where that is. I see the ESPN Club is on the Boardwalk, but can't tell where the complex is. Also, how long would that take for us to do? Keep in mind, I think he's going to be the only one interested, so I don't 'want' to be there long, but still want to see what there is to see, kwim? Would a few hours do it? I can't seem to find a way to rearrange the schedule in a way that allows for more than 3-4 hours to do it.

How long should I expect to be in DQ? I planned the first half of our last day, not sure if I should plan to go back after dinner or if we should be done by that point.

We will also need some resort time.. my daughter will want to take full advantage of the water slides and pool, at least a couple times.

My main issue is knowing we have to eat, but not liking how much time I'm imagining it will cut out of the day. Like when we go to Be Our Guest at 4:30.. I would think we wouldn't be walking out til at least 6:30? That doesn't leave much time to go anywhere else outside of MK. Or the night in HS where we want to see Fantasmic (says to be there 90 min early.. so 7:30).. won't be getting to HS anyway til after dinner at T-Rex at 3:30.. so 5:30-6ish? That's the only time I had set for HS except the first part of day two. I'm worried that won't be enough? Same with Epcot on day three and then what's left after Via Napoli on day seven.

*SIGH* I am very overwhelmed.

Any advice or insight would be MUCH appreciated.

Again, I apologize for the overload of information.

I have given my thoughts in red within the body of the quoted message. Here are some addtl thoughts......
The ESPN Complex is over by Pop Century. I 'think' there may be a bus that runs from DHS to the complex. But, if you really want to go, I would just take a cab. Not sure how much there will be to see though. Be sure to check out their schedule before you head over there.

Here's the thing to keep in mind. There is absolutely no way you are going to be able to do everything there is to do at WDW. Many people make the mistake of trying to see it all/do it all. And by doing that, they rush through WDW, missing a lot. Take your time, slow down. Get a guidebook (I like the PassPorter) and make a list of the things you really want to do in each park. That way you can plot out your days a bit better. If you do those things, that you really want to do, then if you have any free time, you can go back and do other stuff.
But do not rush through the parks...running to and from each attraction, forgetting to see the myriad little details along the way. Disney is all about the details. And many people miss these in their haste to get to the next attraction.
Disney isn't going anywhere. You can always go back in 5 years or so. That will also be a great age for your dd!!! We thought our trip of a lifetime was the first trip we took...dd was 5!! And now? I have about 35/40 trips under my belt since '99..and dd (now 19) has about 15!!!

Welcome to the DIS boards...hang out and get some terrific info. And please, don't overplan. Yes, planning is important when going to WDW. But try not to overdo. You really need some slow time..time to stop and smell the roses.

[TXPyroMom]

Hi! We took our first trip in January 2012 and have a follow up trip planned for December of this year. While I am not an expert, I do remember the things that worked and didn't work for our first trip, so some of these might be helpful.

1) Park hopping on your first trip isn't worth it. You lose a lot of time in transportation time... not to mention trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B quickly takes some time.

2) Easywdw... Josh runs this site and it was invaluable to me while planning. Check out his recommended days, he is great at predicting crowd levels and explains why he recommends certain parks on certain days.

3) If you are going to plan a meal each day, eat in the park you are already in... it just saves time.

4) You will need a rest/sleep in day around day 3 or 4. For our rest day, we slept in and then went to a park in the afternoon. If you really want to do Disney Quest, this might be a good option.

5) I am going to go out on a limb here (even though we didn't go to Disney Quest) and recommend that you not do it on your last day. Trust me, as great as it might be, your daughter will surely want to get in more ride time at her favorite park from the week. Plan your last full day to be open and chose the park your DD liked best. You want to end the trip on a high note.

Always remember that your trip won't be perfect, but it will be fun and memorable. Plan the basics, get to the parks early and know which rides to ride first and which can wait till the afternoon rush.

[Peter Fan]

Originally Posted by graywakemom

Just my opinion here - I think your schedule jumps around too much from park to park and it seems as though it is all being based on the restaurants. Personally I think this is a mistake. You will spend too much of your day traveling between places and worrying about the time and not enjoying the moment. Best wishes!

I agree! I think you are cutting AK day too short.

[erincon23]

RD - Rope Drop -- park opening time.

I think it's great that you've got the ADRs, but I agree, look at it from your DD's perspective and think about streamlining. Especially if you know she's going to want to go to the pool, etc.! There are lots of good counter service places, and I wouldn't fret about where you're going to eat, unless these are "must-do" places.

For instance -- Via Napoli -- not a must-do. I'd consider a quicker counter-service thing that day so that you have more time in Epcot (one of your concerns).

Chef Mickey's -- some people love it, I think it's just okay. Takes forever, costs an arm and a leg, food isn't spectacular, you can see those characters at many other places (and you know that's not in the MK? It's in the Contemporary Resort, which means more travel time). Since you're planning to go to MK that afternoon, I'd do counter service -- Columbia Harbor House has non-burger stuff but is really pretty good -- and save the time and cash.

Day 6 -- I'd spend as much time as you feel like at Typhoon Lagoon (which my kids like better than Blizzard Beach -- look for the swim with sharks thing!), and then not be tied into heading to MK unless you all really feel like it. A day outside, swimming in the heat, could really knock you all out. You might want to consider making that a quiet,early evening, getting a good sleep, and rejuvenating for the final push of your trip.

Day 4 - I agree, skip the extra stop in the middle of the day, spend more time at AK, see the parade, eat there or head right to HS and eat there.

Have a great time!

[NicPie]

As for AK... how much time should I set aside for that? Also, if I start out there, I don't know hitch dinner day works best for going to AK. Which is the closest park?

[Peter Fan]

Yes! How about T-rex in DD your first night and rain forest cafe in AK on your AK day?

[NicPie]

I can't seem to find the day guide thing on the site. Can anyone help me find it? Our dates are 6/14-6/22.

[NicPie]

Originally Posted by Peter Fan

Yes! How about T-rex in DD your first night and rain forest cafe in AK on your AK day?

I wanted to do T-Rex so bad the first day but it was already packed. That was the best time I could get all week.